Investment Q&A

Q: What do you think about starting a full position on Laurentian bank today primarily for income? Earnings look good to me. I don't own the stock but I'm considering buying it because if I'm right, they do little lending to companies in the oil industry. They also have the least client borrowers who work in that industry. I like that the forward PE of 8.5 and the 4.5% dividend. On the other hand, the valuation has always been less than the big banks so maybe the cheap PE isn't worth factoring.

Q: Hi 5i, Herberts question about special dividends, A couple of years ago Peter said some good things about GS so I bought into the company, the special dividends were much appreciated.
Hope to see more in the future.
Thx Gerry

Q: I currently hold these financials: BNS;CXI;DFS.US;EFN;MS.US;RY.
I would like to buy more EFN by selling my weakest financial security. Could you help me decide? Much appreciation for everything you do!

Q: Hi Guys, for a balance portfolio with a 5 year time frame, does trading BNS (2.5% weighting) or TD (3%) or POW (1%) for EFN make any sense? If so, should it be a full position?

thanks,
Jim

Q: If banks use CXI for currency exchange, and the company has good earnings & growth potential, do you think one of the big banks will simply buy them out? $220M market cap seems like peanuts for a bank looking for a competitive advantage.

Q: Hi 5i: I have too many stocks and am trying to consolidate. I'd appreciate your comments on my financial holdings, which are a little over 15% of my portfolio. On the C$ side I have: SLF (3/4 position), EFN (full) and CXI (1/2); on the US$ side I have JPM (3/4), C (1/2) and KRE (1/2). I hold some Canadian banks in separate dividend portfolio that I am not concerned about right now. In my active portfolio I would like to hold maybe 4 financial stocks with weights that balance out risk and provide some diversification within the sector. Your comments would be much appreciated. Suggestions to swap some of what I hold for other stocks would also be welcomed.

Q: Would it make sense to sell td, and buy SLF, recognising the impending interest rate rise.
Thank you

Q: Hi Team:
the BNS and BMO have raised the dividends, while Royal and TD has met expectations of their earnings but have not followed suite in terms of dividends, are they a good buy or hold for a long term 3-5 years hold for dividends and abit of capital gains ? or should I be patient and wait for a pull-back ? Thanks

Q: Hey Peter & Team,

To date I have done very well on EFN and yesterday as a prudent measure not ever wanting to be the pig that gets slaughtered took some profit off the table.

Today I noticed the recent financing via Element Financial Corp Sub Receipts (EFN/N) is up almost 9% from $17 - $18.50 on 2.02 million volume while EFN is down 1.22% to $18.57.

Can you help me better understand the relationship between these two issues and what EFN/N increasing from $17 - $18.50 means for us little people.

Thanks for all you do

Gord

Q: Can you sensible describe a "crowded trade ". Jerome Hass was wittering on about this on Bnn on Fri. and said that his hedge fund stays away from these type of trades. One of his recommendations then was cxi, and ,if this is not a crowded trade, then what is? Can you lift the fog . thanks

Q: With the additional insight provided by recent bank earnings reports do they present value here considering future prospects?

Q: The BMO shares are down over $1.00 at the moment, far more than the other banks. Yet BMO raised their dividend and the results for the quarter slightly beat expectations. Why the drop in value?

Q: I currently own both Canaccord and Fiera with a significant loss on CF and not much to show for FSZ during the past year. I originally invested in these because I was looking for something different from the traditional banks and wealth management and deal making in a growth environment seemed ideal. Do you still see value in these because Element is of interest and I am wondering if a switch out of one or both is in order.

My concerns with EFN are two fold. First, there has been much discussion about them buying a big part of GE's leasing business. I am assuming that this is reflected in the price. So, if that deal does not go through, would you expect a sharp price decline.

Second, they are quite exposed to interest rates changes. You have discussed this previously as it pertains to EFN and you noted that interest rate increases could negatively affect the stock. Do you make your recommendation to buy this based on your belief that rates are not going up or that they have the administrative where with all to weather that storm?

Thanks for your insight.

Paul F.

Q: I bought FN for income and modest growth. I read they have the highest PE ratio of 17.91, comparable to other special industry financials. With the recent results, (losing market share)what is their chance of revenue growth this year. Thank you for providing such a valuable forum. Greatly appreciated.

Q: SAFT has a nice yield coupled with a 5 year dividend growth streak. Could you please give me your thoughts on the company going forward.

Q: My granddaughter has no financials in her TFSA. She holds Boston Pizza and Brookfield Renewable in eqal valuations. I am considering adding SLF or TD. Which would you recommend or do you have a preferred alternative stock that pays a dividend?
With appreciation.
Ed

Q: Peter's last visit on bnn picked element and said the p/e ratio was about 17 times. Is this valuation based on a forward multiple? From a quick look at google finance I see trailing 12 months earnings(diluted) added up to $0.56/share. Would this be roughly 34 times trailing earnings?
Thanks

Q: Dear Agent.Is PSEC a good long run investment to hold in a Portfolio. Eddie.

Q: Hi Peter,
As sun life has increased it's exposure to the equity markets via it's new partnership with Qtrade-if equity markets drop and even if interest rates are rising at the same time-will the equity partnership be a drag on the price of the stock

Q: Hello9 Peter & Co,
Having no exposure to Lifecos, I'm debating between SLF and MFC; why has SLF (in your portfolio)so badly underperformed in 2015 ytd?
Thanks,
Antoine